Purdue Extension: Changing for the better
By Victor L. Lechtenberg

Purdue Extension is undergoing change, and, while change does not come easily to any organization, it does keep us vital and responsive to current needs.

Despite recent budget cuts and a number of retirements in the county staff, we have the opportunity to expand our outreach and effectiveness and continue to provide the best Extension programming in the nation.

Statewide, there are about 40 open county educator positions, and we are using those positions to respond to community needs and prepare for the future.

New Purdue Extension educators will provide expertise in only one specific program area: youth and families, agriculture or economic development. Educators may serve adjacent counties, but they will not be asked to work outside of their area of expertise. This will allow them to focus and provide high-quality programs to meet the needs of citizens, regardless of county lines.

We are also equipping our educators with greater skills in facilitation, communication and networking to enable them to more effectively engage with the public.

We understand the value of having a Purdue Extension office in every Indiana county to serve as a gateway to Extension, the university, and the land-grant system. Thanks to local support we will continue to keep our county offices open.

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